Publication - Independent report

Framing a Minimum Income Guarantee

Published: 18 June 2025
From: Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice
Directorate: Social Security Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Communities and third sector, Cost of living crisis, +3 more … Economy, Equality and rights, Work and skills
ISBN: 9781836912750

On behalf of the independent Minimum Income Guarantee Expert Group, Progressive Partnership conducted market research in order to test levels of support for a Minimum Income Guarantee and to support future communication and framing around it.

Supporting documents

Appendix 1: Survey questionnaire

Screeners/quotas

SQ1. Where do you live?
Single Code	Code	Route
Scotland	1	Continue
England	2	Screen out
Wales	3	Screen out
Northern Ireland	4	Screen out
Republic of Ireland	5	Screen out
Elsewhere	6	Screen out

SQ2. What is your gender?
Single Code	Code
Man	1
Woman	2
Non-binary	3
Prefer to self-describe	4
Prefer not to say	5

SQ3. Which of the following age groups are you in?
Single Code	Code
18-24	1
25-34	2
35-44	3
45-54	4
55-64	5
65-74	6
75+	7
Prefer not to say	8

SQ4. Which of the following groups does the Chief Income Earner in your household belong to?

The Chief Income Earner is the person in the household with the largest income, regardless of how this income is obtained. If the Chief Income Earner is retired and has an occupational pension, please select according to the previous occupation. If the Chief Income Earner is not in paid employment and has been out of work for less than 6 months, please select according to previous occupation.

Single Code	Code
Semi or unskilled manual worker (e.g. manual jobs that require no special training, park keeper, non-HGV driver, shop assistant etc.)	1
Skilled manual worker (e.g. skilled bricklayer, carpenter, plumber, painter, bus/ambulance driver, HGV driver, unqualified assistant teacher, AA patrolman, pub/bar worker, etc.)	2
Supervisory or clerical/ junior managerial/ professional/ administrator (e.g. office worker, student doctor, foreman with 25+ employees, sales person, student teachers etc.)	3
Intermediate managerial/ professional/ administrative (e.g. newly qualified (under 3 years) doctor, solicitor, board director small organisation, middle manager in large organisation, principal officer in Civil Service/local government etc.)	4
Higher managerial/ professional/ administrative (e.g. established doctor, solicitor, board director in large organisation (200+ employees), top level civil servant/ public service employee, head teacher, etc.)	5
Student	6
Retired and living on state pension only	7
Unemployed (for over 6 months) or not working due to long term sickness	8
Prefer not to say	9

Survey Questions

Q1. Which issues do you think are most important for the Scottish Government to prioritise? Please rank them in order from the most important priority at the top to the least important at the bottom, by dragging each from the left to the right section.
Randomise Codes	Rank
Health and social care (NHS)
Tackling climate change
Creating a stronger economy
Increasing people’s financial security and reducing poverty
Dealing with immigration
Reducing crime
Improving education
Wider public services (e.g. transport, childcare)

Throughout this survey we will ask you questions about people who are experiencing financial insecurity and poverty. By this we mean not having enough to be able to live a decent life, e.g. being able to afford basic necessities, as well as being able to participate in society.

Q2. To what extent do you think that financial insecurity and poverty is a problem in Scotland?
Single/Invert Scale	Code
It’s a very serious problem	1
It’s a moderately serious problem	2
It’s only a slight problem	3
It’s not a problem	4
Unsure	5

Q3. To what extent are you personally concerned about financial insecurity and poverty in Scotland?
Single/Invert Scale	Code
Very concerned	1
Quite concerned	2
Neither concerned nor unconcerned	3
Not very concerned	4
Not at all concerned	5
Unsure	6

Q4. How much of a priority do you think the Scottish Government should give to helping people who are experiencing financial insecurity and poverty?
Single/Invert Scale	Code
Top priority	1
High priority	2
Moderate priority	3
Low priority	4
No priority	5
Unsure	6

Q5. We are interested in your views about the issue of financial insecurity and poverty in Scotland and how people experiencing this might be helped, e.g. through social security, public services and employment opportunities. You will now see a series of statements other people have made about this. Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of these statements.

As with the rest of the questionnaire, your answers will be treated in confidence and not identified with you personally. They will be added to all the replies we receive from many people across Scotland to form a more general picture.

How much do you agree or disagree that…

Single Code/Randomise/ Invert Scale	Agree strongly	Agree slightly	Neither agree/ disagree	Disagree slightly	Disagree strongly	Unsure
People who are experiencing financial insecurity and poverty usually have made poor choices in life	1	2	3	4	5	6
Anyone can potentially find themselves in a situation where they can’t afford the basics of a decent life (e.g. choosing between heating and eating)	1	2	3	4	5	6
The benefits system in Scotland is currently enough to meet people’s needs	1	2	3	4	5	6
It has an adverse effect on all of society when some people don’t have enough money for the essentials in life	1	2	3	4	5	6
Being able to afford the essentials to live a dignified and decent life is a basic human right	1	2	3	4	5	6
Inequality in society is inevitable, and there will always be some people who live in poverty	1	2	3	4	5	6
There can never be a fair and just society while some people don’t have financial security	1	2	3	4	5	6
If people work hard, they can avoid the situation where they don’t have enough to pay for their basic needs	1	2	3	4	5	6
When people are living in poverty, they have fewer opportunities and choices in life	1	2	3	4	5	6
If the benefits system is too generous it discourages people from working	1	2	3	4	5	6
Public services in Scotland should ensure that everyone’s basic needs are met, so that they can have a decent quality of life	1	2	3	4	5	6
Everyone in Scotland should have access to good quality work so that they can improve their financial security	1	2	3	4	5	6

The Scottish Government is considering a new approach to prevent people having incomes that are too low and living costs that are too high, called a Minimum Income Guarantee. Its aim would be to ensure everyone has enough to live a healthy and financially secure life.

This would be delivered through a combination of good quality paid work, high quality services that reduce household costs (like free prescriptions, bus passes, childcare etc.) and the guarantee of an adequate income through social security. As well as changes to rights around work and improving public services, it would mean increasing social security payments to a minimum level that allows people to live a decent life.

This idea is at a very early stage of consideration and is very much a long term plan, i.e. it would be implemented over the next 10 to 20 years.

Q6. Before taking part in this survey, had you heard of a Minimum Income Guarantee?
Single Code	Code
Yes	1
No	2
Unsure	3

A Minimum Income Guarantee would be delivered through a combination of good quality paid work, high quality services that reduce household costs (like free prescriptions, bus passes, childcare etc.) and the guarantee of an adequate income through social security. As well as changes to rights around work and improving public services, it would mean increasing social security payments to a minimum level that allows people to live a decent life.

Q7. Based on the description you have just read above, how much would you support or oppose a Minimum Income Guarantee being introduced in Scotland? Please answer on the scale below, where 0 means you would strongly oppose it and 10 means you would strongly support it.
Single/Invert Scale	Code
0 – Strongly oppose	1
1	2
2	3
3	4
4	5
5	6
6	7
7	8
8	9
9	10
10 – Strongly support	11
Unsure	12

Q8. How positive or negative do you think the introduction of a Minimum Income Guarantee would be for society as a whole in Scotland?
Single/Invert Scale	Code
Very positive	1
Moderately positive	2
Neither positive not negative	3
Moderately negative	4
Very negative	5
Unsure	6

Q9. How positive or negative do you think the introduction of a Minimum Income Guarantee would be for you personally?
Single/Invert Scale	Code
Very positive	1
Moderately positive	2
Neither positive not negative	3
Moderately negative	4
Very negative	5
Unsure	6

There are a number of different ways to describe how a Minimum Income Guarantee would help people and society. We are now going to show you three options for how this could be described. For each, please state how positively or negatively the descriptions make you feel about Scotland introducing a Minimum Income Guarantee.

Please take time to read each description carefully before going on to answer questions about it.

Scripting note: Please rotate the order of the three MIG framing questions. Please also add a timer so that respondents cannot move onto questions until they have read the description.

The cost-of-living crisis has demonstrated that no one is entirely protected from financial hardship, and that we must go further in providing a safety net. Anyone might need a helping hand at some point in their life, and a Minimum Income Guarantee, delivered through a combination of fair and accessible paid work, high quality services and adequate social security, would be there as a reassurance for all – no matter your current position in life or what might happen in the future – you are promised a minimum standard of living.

Q10. Based on the paragraph above, and thinking about the theme of the Minimum Income Guarantee providing everyone in Scotland a safety net through a minimum standard of living, how much would you support or oppose a minimum income guarantee being introduced in Scotland? Please answer on the scale below, where 0 means you would strongly oppose it and 10 means you would strongly support it.
Single/Invert Scale	Code
0 – Strongly oppose	1
1	2
2	3
3	4
4	5
5	6
6	7
7	8
8	9
9	10
10 – Strongly support	11
Unsure	12

Inequality and poverty are harmful to society, not only for those at the sharp end of it, but for everyone. Inequality can be linked to some social problems, so reducing poverty will help to alleviate strain on the NHS and reduce crime, which in turn will lead to higher levels of trust and stronger community life. By introducing a Minimum Income Guarantee, delivered through a combination of fair and accessible paid work, high quality services and adequate social security, we will not only be improving the living standard for those who need it most, but also for society as a whole.

Q11. Based on the paragraph above, and thinking about the theme of a Minimum Income Guarantee creating a fairer and more equal society in Scotland, how much would you support or oppose a minimum income guarantee being introduced in Scotland? Please answer on the scale below, where 0 means you would strongly oppose it and 10 means you would strongly support it.
Single/Invert Scale	Code
0 – Strongly oppose	1
1	2
2	3
3	4
4	5
5	6
6	7
7	8
8	9
9	10
10 – Strongly support	11
Unsure	12

There are people in our communities who do not get the opportunity to live decent, healthy and financially secure lives, and are, for example, being forced to choose between whether ‘to heat or to eat’. This is unacceptable in our modern society, and something that we need to collectively rectify. The Minimum Income Guarantee, delivered through social security benefits, fair work/good jobs, and the provision of key basic services, would ensure a minimum standard of living to all, allowing people to pursue life’s opportunity and live fulfilling lives.

Q12. Based on the paragraph above, and the theme of a Minimum Income Guarantee allowing people more freedom and choice to live a fuller life, how much would you support or oppose a minimum income guarantee being introduced in Scotland? Please answer on the scale below, where 0 means you would strongly oppose it and 10 means you would strongly support it.
Single/Invert Scale	Code
0 – Strongly oppose	1
1	2
2	3
3	4
4	5
5	6
6	7
7	8
8	9
9	10
10 – Strongly support	11
Unsure	12

Q13. Of the three options, which one makes you feel most positively towards a minimum income guarantee being introduced in Scotland? Please rank the statements from the one you feel most positively about at the top to the one you feel least positively about at the bottom, by dragging each from the left to the right section.
Randomise	Rank
Anyone might need a helping hand at some point in their life and a Minimum Income Guarantee would be there as a safety net for everyone
By introducing a Minimum Income Guarantee, we will not only be improving the living standard for those who need it most, but making society better and fairer for all
The Minimum Income Guarantee would ensure a minimum standard of living to all, giving people the freedom to pursue life’s opportunity and live fulfilling lives

Q14. What are your reasons for selecting [Text Substitution] as your first choice? Please type in your reasons below and give as much detail as possible.

Q15. A Minimum Income Guarantee could potentially benefit individual people in a number of ways. Which of the following benefits for individual people would make you most likely to support a Minimum Income Guarantee? Please rank the statements from the one you feel most positively about at the top to the one you feel least positively about at the bottom, by dragging each from the left to the right section.
Randomise	Rank
Allowing people to live a decent and dignified life, not worrying about things such as whether to ‘heat or eat’
Providing people with greater freedoms in life, e.g. to seize opportunities, choose a career, enter education, provide care for family, i.e. to pursue the life they want to live, rather than living ‘hand to mouth’ with no time or income to make these choices
Improving people’s health outcomes as poverty has a strong link with poor health, both physical and mental
Providing people with greater financial security for when things happen that are out of their control, e.g. relationship break down, losing your home, being made redundant, onset of long term health issues, etc.

Q16. A Minimum Income Guarantee could potentially benefit communities and society in a number of ways. Which of the following benefits for communities and society would make you most likely to support a Minimum Income Guarantee? Please rank the statements from the one you feel most positively about at the top to the one you feel least positively about at the bottom, by dragging each from the left to the right section.
Randomise	Rank
Reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour
Better public services
Less pressure on NHS, as people’s health will improve
The reassurance that there is a financial safety net that everyone is entitled to, if and when they need it
A general improvement in the wellbeing of society, knowing that we have a fairer society that supports everyone

Q17. There are a number of options for what this kind of policy could be called. Which of the following potential names for the policy do you think is best?
Single code/randomise	Code
Minimum Income Guarantee	1
Living Income Guarantee	2
Scottish National Income	3
Another name (please specify)	4
Unsure	5

Q18. Do you have any other thoughts about the idea of a Minimum Income Guarantee?

[Allow a ‘No comments’ option]

The final few questions are for classification purposes.

Q19. Thinking about your household, which of the following best describes how you and your household are managing financially at the moment?
Single/Invert Scale	Code
Managing very well	1
Managing quite well	2
Getting by Ok	3
Having some financial difficulties	4
Having major financial difficulties	5
Prefer not to say	6

Q20. What is your current yearly household income, including any benefits you receive, before tax and other deductions?
Single code	Code
Less than £15,000	1
£15,000 up to £19,000	2
£20,000 up to £29,999	3
£30,000 up to £44,999	4
£45,000 up to £59,999	5
£60,000 or more	6
Don’t know	7
Prefer not to say	8

Q21. Including yourself, how many people live within your household?

Adults (aged 16+):

Children (aged under 16):

Ask if Children in Household

Q22. How old are the children that live in your household?
Multicode	Code
Under 1 year	1
1-4 years	2
5-11 years	3
12-15 years	4
Prefer not to say	5

Ask if Children in Household and >1 Adult

Q23. Which of the following best describes your household?
Single code	Code
I live with someone who shares the parenting or caring role with me for the child/ren in the household	1
I do not live with someone who has a parenting or caring role for the child/ren in the household – I have sole responsibility in the household	2
Other (please specify)	3
Prefer not to say	4

Q24. What is your current working status?
Single code	Code
Full-time paid work (including self-employed)	1
Part-time paid work (including self-employed)	2
Government or other training scheme	3
Unemployed	4
Retired	5
Temporary sick	6
Long-term sick/disabled without a job	7
Looking after the home/family	8
Full-time education	9
Other	10
Prefer not to say	11

Q25. What is your ethnic group?
Single code	Code
White
Scottish	1
Other British	2
Irish	3
Polish	4
Gypsy/traveller	5
Roma	6
Showman/Showwoman	7
Other white ethnic group	8
Mixed or multiple ethnic groups
Any mixed or multiple ethnic groups, please write in	9
Asian, Scottish Asian or British Asian
Pakistani, Scottish Pakistani or British Pakistani	10
Indian, Scottish Indian or British Indian	11
Bangladeshi, Scottish Bangladeshi or British Bangladeshi	12
Chinese, Scottish Chinese or British Chinese	13
Other	14
African, Scottish African or British African
Please write in (for example, Nigerian, Somali)	15
Caribbean or Black
Please write in (for example, Scottish Caribbean, Black Scottish)	16
Other ethnic group
Arab, Scottish Arab or British Arab	17
Other, please write in (for example, Sikh, Jewish)	18
Prefer not to say	19

Q26. Are your day-to-day activities limited because of a health problem or disability which has lasted or is expected to last 12 months or more?
Single code	Code
Yes, limited a lot	1
Yes, limited a little	2
No	3
Prefer not to say	4

Ask Unless Number of People in Household=1

Q27. Does anyone else in your household have a health problem or disability that limits their day-to-day activities, which has lasted or is expected to last 12 months or more?
Single code	Code
Yes, limited a lot	1
Yes, limited a little	2
No	3
Prefer not to say	4

Q28. Do you provide regular unpaid care or support for anyone who is elderly or disabled?
Single code	Code
Yes, in my household	1
Yes, but not in my household	2
No	3
Prefer not to say	4

Q29. What is the highest level of education or qualification you have completed?
Single code	Code
I have no educational qualifications	1
National 4/5, O Grades, Standard Grade, GCSE or equivalent	2
Highers/Advanced Highers/A levels or equivalent	3
Apprenticeship	4
College or university	5
Professional qualifications / Post graduate degree	6
Other	7
Prefer not to say	8

Q30. How did you vote in the last Westminster election, i.e. in July 2024?
Single code	Code
Labour	1
Conservative	2
SNP	3
Liberal Democrat	4
Reform	5
Green	6
Other	7
Not applicable – I did not vote in the election	8
Prefer not to say	9

Q31. What is your postcode? Please provide your full postcode. Please note this will be used for analysis purposes only, e.g. to classify into urban and rural areas of Scotland.

Contact

Email: MIGSecretariat@gov.scot

Thanks for your feedback

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